"No fitness for any attribute of four-element magic? I didn't expect you to get out of my Marquis house."
That was my father's word.
At the age of eight, magical aptitudes are appraised in this country. Because in this world where witchcraft is common, it becomes important who has any kind of witchcraft aptitude.
The age of eight is conditioned by the fact that, when the magic is appraised at an early age when it cannot be controlled, the flowering to aptitude magic is accelerated and tragic accidents have continued in the past.
By the way, there are two kinds of things that nobility requires of you in your magical aptitude. A four-element magic specializing in attacks that protect homes and inhabitants. Or healing magic that protects homes and inhabitants.
Meanwhile, some sorcery is called unworthy of nobility.
The magic of stealing that takes physical strength, magic, and sometimes things away from them. The magic of perversion that you create and change your flesh. Brainwashing magic that uses sound and light to delude and manipulate the target. Appraisal magic to find out more about things and people. Different types of witchcraft existed, such as puppet witchcraft manipulating dolls and corpses.
And the magic of production, which I was judged fit for, was also considered unworthy of the nobility.
The magic of production that creates things. Sometimes called alchemy. This magic was basically subtle in what could be made to consume considerable magic. Most production magicians simply prepare materials such as iron and copper, and use their imagination in their heads to create swords, accessories, etc.
Some invented objects cleverly that had never existed before, but rarely.
Because such things can be done even by those who are fit for other sorceries. Magic talent is useless to inventors, and magic talent is unnecessary to blacksmiths as well.
Adding them, they were commonly referred to as the most unusual sorcerers of production.
Sorcery aptitude has a lot to do with genetics. If the parents were quaternary magicians, there is a greater than 50% chance that the child will have the same magical aptitude. Moreover, if grandparents are alike, more than 70% will be similar magical aptitudes.
Therefore, the tradition was born that the aristocrats would welcome into their companions those who had the aptitude for four-element magic for many years. If all the clans become users of four-element witchcraft, the likelihood of a child having the aptitude for four-element witchcraft is closer to a hundred percent.
But the tradition was gradually over-strengthened, and it was assumed to be a disgrace to the nobility if, at last, aptitude other than four-element sorcery and the healing sorcery of the next point appeared.
That distorted idea is not so pervasive in the homes of weak aristocrats and quasi-accompanied knights in the region. But when it comes to a Marquis like the Count or our home, it is practiced as if it were the Bible or something.
"My Marquis family is the house of Takemen. It was by my martial arts that I allowed my Fertio family, who were counts from generation to generation, to marquis. That's why I married Mira, a fiery sorcerer stronger than the Underground Baron's, to further sublimate my fiery sorcery. That was a good wife and mother, but she was weak in inverse proportion to the strength of magic. You're the fourth man in charge of the next Marquis. You were the last."
Father, Marquis Jalpa Bull Atti Fertio said so with a bitter look.
My mother, Mira, died when I was five. There was also a second and third ladies, but only my mother had a boy with wonder.
So my father's disappointment was enormous when my mother died. Then the education of the four remaining boys changes to more rigorous and rigorous.
My eldest son, Murcia, was my maternal grandmother's suitability for wind sorcery, but my second and third sons had the suitability for flaming sorcery as my father wished.
Murcia, who was thirteen years old and in the midst of being educated by the main deputy, began to be ridiculed by two younger brothers with flaming magical aptitudes. Seeing the treatment of the second and third sons actually get better, Murcia worked harder than anyone else and spared no time to learn while sleeping to become a fine nobleman even in parts other than magic.
That hard work bore fruit and did not change Murcia's position as the main proxy. The second and third sons weren't funny, but they ended up making fun of Murcia as due to age differences, not abilities.
In the meantime, when I turn eight, I will be given a magical aptitude test. [M] My father's expectations grew even when I was young and told that I was not normal.
However, the results of the appraisal were the lowest supposedly producing magicians.
My father was greatly discouraged and the second and third sons, who were vigilant, were so delighted that they smiled unconsciously.
And Murcia was sincerely sympathetic.
"It's not even a joke, such as the birth of a production magician from the Marquis family, which is going to develop even more... then go ahead"
Blocking the words of my father, who spoke disturbing words, Murcia smiles and utters words.
"That's right! Father, you had that neighborhood village! A village within the territory of our Marquis family, but unable to develop at all because of its location. Why don't you leave that to Van?
"What village without that name? Why?"
My father was surprised, and Murcia nodded with a smile.
"Next door is the Kingdom of Yellinetta. The other is Count Ferdinut territory. Quite apart, the fortified city of the defensive base exists. In other words, the value of the village is very rarely used as a camp in the Knights' expedition training to the Earl of Ferdinut's side, etc."
"I know that. More than a hundred inhabitants originally lived there in that village. There are no specialties, and the Wolfsburg Mountains to the north are nestled with mighty warcraft to gain resources. It's part of the territory I gained when I marquised the Marquis, but it's also the land where Count Ferdinut, who took the form of a shredded territory, sends his knights like harassment from time to time."
After my father said that blocking Murcia's words, he just looked up to me and said he noticed.
"Well, I get it. So you're saying that if you can't even leave Van with the border village, there's no problem putting the Knights right next to Count Ferdinut's house? Besides, my loyalty to the Marquis is still weak in the newly acquired territory. If only the Marquis were assigned there in form... I see. You're a boulder, Murcia. I found a useless use for it."
To that lesser word, Murcia replies by lowering her head deeply.
Thus my father commanded me to assume the responsibility of lord of all the villages on the border. My father and second son, three men, who got in a good mood, left, only me and Brother Murcia in the room.
"... brother"
When I called her that, Murcia's smile looked as sad as a lie. Walk right up to me and I'll bow my head and apologize to you for ten different years.
"I'm sorry. I believe Van will be a clever and capable nobleman, even if there is no such thing as witchcraft. So I fathered such a suggestion, seemingly unscrupulous. If you resent me, you can resent me."
I laughed bitterly at such a clumsy explanation and shook my head left and right.
"... No, my brother, he helped me, didn't he? Because if I stayed that way, I could be imprisoned or killed, or in some cases, drained from my tongue and enslaved. Even if it's a desperate situation, I'll never let my brother get away with the opportunity he gave me."
Answering that, Murcia looked up and looked at me. Its eyes are wide open.
"... Again, Van is a genius, I wonder what. I think the Marquis is going to see you in pain later."
When I smiled and said that, Murcia looked at me with a serious look.
"There may be only a few things we can do. But let me do the best I can. If it's any good for Van..."
"Thank you, brother"
Replying like that with a smile, Murcia laughs like trouble.
"Van has been a strange kid for a long time. I was sensitive to the finesse of the adult mind about where to learn, and it seemed like I was thinking things deeper. Deacon Esperda and exclusive maid Till have been happy to report about Van for a long time."
Murcia said so with pleasure and narrowed her eyes in nostalgia.